DevSecOps: Secure infrastructure by design

DevSecOps is an increasingly popular approach to securing critical infrastructure and applications. It integrates security into the development process from the beginning, ensuring that it is at the heart of every step of development. In a largely technology-driven world, it is no surprise that the demand for integrated security is rising, with the average cost of a critical infrastructure breach being £3.7 million in 2022.

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DevSecOps are responsible for integrating security into every stage of the software lifecycle, from planning to deployment. With this approach, companies can identify potential security vulnerabilities early on in the process, allowing the team to address them quickly and efficiently. This helps reduce the risk of costly data breaches or other incidents that could have a serious impact on a company’s reputation. DevSecOps now play a vital role in creating a safer digital environment as businesses are taking their security more seriously than ever before.

 

Although DevSecOps is a relatively new concept, it shares some similarities with DevOps; both focus on developing and operating code, applications, and systems by integrating all of the necessary departments. However, the key difference is that DevSecOps place a greater emphasis on security. Some might argue that good DevOps practices should always include security, even though the department title doesn't mention "security". Whether you consider it DevOps or DevSecOps, integrating security into every step of the development process is essential to creating secure and reliable operations.

Building an efficient development lifecycle

DevOps has been around for many years, helping organisations to approach development and operations processes in a more efficient way. It is becoming increasingly important for organisations to have a good understanding of DevOps and how it can help them achieve their goals. However, one critical aspect that can sometimes be overlooked is security. This is where DevSecOps comes in, with an aim of generating much more secure and robust development measures. This approach is particularly useful for larger companies that store vast volumes of data and require high-security measures to protect their sensitive data. By integrating security into the DevOps process from the start, organisations can build secure and resilient systems that can withstand even the most advanced cyber threats.

 

By integrating these groups, more time can be devoted to automating systems and continuously testing applications, ensuring optimal performance. This allows the team to focus on new or critical tasks instead of manually updating systems that are in place. This strategy not only fosters a dynamic work environment where teams proactively respond to challenges but also creates more efficient working methods and streamlined processes.

 

As the technology industry evolves, so do requirements and compliance standards, meaning organisations need to constantly adapt their systems to maintain updates and protect their business. Therefore, the need and importance of DevSecOps teams have grown significantly in recent years. Integrating these teams removes the silos that previously existed within companies and encourages collaboration in building and developing systems/applications.

 

Incorporating security into the development lifecycle makes systems more secure and less vulnerable to cyber-attacks because they are harder to break. In short, DevSecOps is necessary to create a secure online environment for both businesses and their customers.

Achieving automation and visibility  

Combining the three departments: security, development and operations, allows for better collaboration between teams and ensures that the organisation is working towards a common goal. Another advantage of this structure is automation, which is becoming increasingly important within modern business operations. With shared knowledge, the team can quickly identify and address potential problems, saving time, resources and the risk of system failure. This streamlines the process of conducting audits, implementing fixes, and performing updates and can actually reduce costs in the long run.

Businesses are constantly evolving, and staying up to date with the latest technology is essential for success. Various factors can prompt businesses to update their technology, such as adopting new systems, keeping up with security requirements, or adhering to updates in industry standards. By investing in the right technology, businesses can ensure that their operations run smoothly and efficiently. Implementing the DevSecOps methodology allows companies to gain greater visibility of future changes, enabling them to deal with these adjustments more effectively. This in turn makes it easier to perform audits while simultaneously performing updates or fixes when needed without the timely process of determining the issue first.

The future of security

As technological solutions have become more available and popular, businesses are increasing their usage of them. Due to this movement, the global DevSecOps market is set to grow tenfold by 2029, hitting £19 billion, showing a CAGR of 31.5%. Automation and consolidated development processes have allowed businesses to increase efficiency within their team and operations, saving both time and money in the process.

 

DevSecOps teams protect businesses and their customers by making technology more secure and easy to upgrade when needed. As previously mentioned, by incorporating security measures into each stage of the development lifecycle, companies can ensure a robust infrastructure while still allowing for continual innovation and growth. With DevSecOps, organisations can be confident that their applications are secure while still being able to deliver them quickly and efficiently. The goal is not only to create a more efficient work environment but to provide sustainable and secure applications across organisations.

By Anugraha Benjamin, Manager, Infrastructure at Progress.
By Hans De Visser, Chief Product Officer, Mendix.
By Andy Mills, VP of EMEA for Cequence Security.